Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1887-09-23
TILN MADLNONy RNTLER.

THE WADISONS' BUTLER.
-
1t was Mrs. Madisons opinion that the
servant question would be the death of her.
The question with her meant generally
how long will the newly acquired domestic
remain on the field of his or her present
usefulness-or uselessness
Mrs. Madison was rich in this worlds
goods. She had an indulgent husband,
charming children, more than comfortable
income, and enough beauty TO make her
very pleasant to look upon. But all these
gifts of kind Providence were as nothing
weighed in the balance against the crushing
fact that every one of the Madison buffers
was worse than his predecessors. The poor
lady had tried every nationality, as she said,
except the Chinese there she drew the
line.
At the time when this veracious story
opens, the latest venture in the pantry line
had proved to be a complete failure, and
was to depart on the morrow.
Mrs Madison sat i'll her charming sitting
room, over a wood fire, with the hot water
kettle kissing genially among its companion
tea things, which had been brought in for
the last time by the present incumbent.
Opposite to her was her sister, Sylvia
Arden. She had just come in from walk
ing, and her long sealskin garment was
thrown open as she sat toasting her cold
feet and drawing off her gloves.
She was one OF the prettest girls i'll New
Iork-which means that she was very love
ly indeed.
shall you have that dinner on the 18th,
Maud p asked the young lady. She rose
as she spoke, and divested herself of her
furs, and as she did so one saw what 1.-the
and shapely figure she had.
'It all depends on the butler, said her
sister George will get somebody today,
goodness knows what"
AN lrishman, probably" said Sylvia.
"All our French dressmakers are Irish
Our city is ruled by the Irish our police
men are Irish why not our buffers y
IL should think you were Irish yourself,
dear, from what you say, said Mrs. Madi-
son, laughing. 'Ah, there comes Georges
key in the door. Now we shall see what
news he brings"
In moment or two the master of the
house entered
He took the cup of tea which his wife had
poured out. Then seating himself, he said {;
We'll, I've got him.
"Who T. asked his wife, mischievously
Patrick O'Alulligan y
"No, John Parkins-an Englishman."
Was there ever an Englishman who
wasn't named John y said Sylvia
Good references, Of course, said Mrs
Madison, with grim sarcasm. They al
ways have.
NO said her husband, cheerfully
None at all
Mrs. Madison was quite quiet.
'You are tired of the silver, then =
"Not at all but he won't take the silver.
If there is anything dishonest about John
Parkins, then l am wofully mistaken"
''You generally are, said his wife, dryly.
Thank you, madam. No, he may be a
little green, but he is one of the finest look
ing men ever saw
''Do you remember our British Adonis =
asked Sylvia, when he handed round the
lobster sauce in kitchen jug, and then
put himself into the dumbwat instead of
the empty dishes =
"Am likly to forget it y
Then why, asked Mrs. Madison, with
sudden asperity, ''do you subject us to a
similar experience How can you bring a
man without reference into my house =
'On the same principle, said Mr.. Madi-
son, setting down his cup with perfect i'm
perturbability, that you once said you
would advertise for an atheist, having tried
every religion in the housemaid line and
failed lamentably with all the sects repre-
sented. | am tired of the men who have
| lived with all the English aristocracy. Now
Parkins assures me that he hasn't lived with
any of them. He has the face of an honest,
steady man and he tells us that he is will
| ing to learn"
Mrs Madison gave a mock groan.
"That means that am willing to teach, "
said she.
"And are we to have the Bellingers on
the 18th :" asked Sylvia.
''By all means" said her brother-in-law
And so the conversation ended.
The next day, it being the lst of the
month, promptly at the hour agreed upon
John Parkins presented himself to the lady
of the house, with a modest, deferentia
bearing which was quite delightful He
was strapping fellow about thirty, dressed
in worn but well cut garments, His feat
ures were rather handsome, and his smooth
shaven upper lip showed at times glimpse
of very good teeth.
1T is not our custom to engage anyon,
without reference said Mrs Madison
1--WE are placing great confidence in you in
taking you like this into our house"
Pm aware Of that, ma'am, said Par
kins, II am very thankful for your kind
ness. l hope shall suit you.
II hope so, said Mrs Madison, in ton,
which hinted that the hope was forlorI
one
"Have you had much experience in wait
ing at table ~
''Not much, Fam, said Parkns.
MAY ask where you have lived last -
The man hesitated for moment.
"On a ranch, ma'am," he said, with
slight air of being unwilling to pursue tn,
subject further. Then he added, with NOR,
alacrity,-
81 was servant to gentleman out il
Wyoming"
''Ah I" said Mrs. Madison.